North-Voorhees eyes $31M plan

Voters in the North Hunterdon-Voorhees high school district could see a referendum for as much as $31 million next fall.

School board Building and Grounds Committee co-chairman Fran Goger told fellow members that his committee had a list of about a dozen items that it will pare down before making recommendations at Tuesday's school board meeting.

The board meets in the Voorhees cafeteria at 7 p.m. District spokeswoman Maren Smagala said the schools' architects will present options and pricing to the board that evening.

Mr. Goger said on Tuesday that the committee is "probably going to come up with $20 million that's a must-do." That includes the roof at North, which has been cut from budgets the past five years because of the cost and is now "bursting apart," he said. Air conditioning units at both schools "have to be put on the schedule," he said.

He said that many board members want to refurbish science rooms because they are "quite antiquated."

Also on Tuesday, district business administrator Susan Press said that officials will focus on "critical" projects, chiefly building ventilation, bringing several items into compliance with current regulations and maintaining the structures. She felt that any project outside of that is "not likely to be considered.

At North Hunterdon High School, the following projects, totaling $23.2 million, are on the "wish list" being discussed in committee:

- Replacing air conditioning units, $7.9 million
- Replacing three-quarters of the roof, $4 million
- A new elevator in the three-story wing to replace one that doesn't comply with the federal
American with Disabilities Act (ADA), $800,000
- Renovating five science classrooms and replacing equipment, $2 million
- Converting former county Polytech space, such as cosmetology rooms and auto-body bays, into six or seven new classrooms, $6.5 million
- Modifying a locker room in the girls' gym so that it can be used as a team locker room, $500,000
- Renovating three quarters of the bathrooms so they comply with ADA regulations, $1.5 million.

At Voorhees committee members are considering projects which could run $7.6 million:
- Replacement of air conditioning units, up to $3 million
- Converting the rear cafeteria into a guidance office and a nearby classroom into the Child Study Team office. The current offices would become health classrooms and in-school detention rooms and allow for expansion of the nurses office, $2 million
- Expanding the band room, $1.3 million
- Renovating bathrooms to comply with ADA codes, $350,000
- Removing second-floor lockers and creating an additional cooking classroom, $1 million.The committee was set to tour the science rooms and Polytech area at North Hunterdon yesterday.

All items would qualify for a state program that pays 40% of the bill if voters approve a referendum allowing the district to borrow for the projects, said Mr. Goger. The school board plans a decision this month because applications for state aid are due by November, with the district learning in January if they qualify for the aid.

Board member Sandy Seidorf asked at the Oct. 7 board meeting if aid is guaranteed.

Mr. Goger responded that "chances are excellent" that high priority items like replacing the roof at North Hunterdon would be covered. The 2005 estimated cost was $750,000.

The school board approved a resolution Oct. 7 to seek bids to replace four heating system boilers. The projected cost is $1 million, with up to $400,000 possibly coming from the state.

Mr. Goger said that the district set aside $1.8 million in capital reserve for the project.